Solitude

The invaders' incursions destroyed the economy and transformed the demographics. Not only that, even Britishers hammered the princely republics' self-sustaining concept of governance.

The heads of sovereign states are no longer counted among the elites. The British now wield absolute power. Only the title remains, which appeases their vanity. 

Only the royal attire remains, albeit with few or no royal jewels. These royals spend their days by themselves confined to their little courtyards. They are battling their inner demons in order to remain visible in the altered reality.